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Mission Carmel
T2-SE-A2
Mission Buenaventura Class Fleet Oiler:
 
"Mission Carmel" under way in San Francisco Bay for builders trials, circa May 1944.
( Photo Copyright David Buell )
 "Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel".
 "Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel".
 "Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel" after conversion.
The S.S. Houston was a containership converted from the T-2 tanker Mission Carmel. I used the
Revell Esso Glasgow kit as a start and scratch built about 40 % of the model. Just like with the
real ship, the midship house was cut off and placed aft. The rails are PE from Tom's Modelworks.
The containers are basswood with home made decals.
The Houston ran along the US east and Gulf coast and Carribean. It was scrapped in 1984.
( Photos and built by Fred Koster )
"Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel".
"Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel".
"Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel".
 
"Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel", on her very first visit to the port of Bremen (Germany) in March 1968,
berthed at the (then) brand-new container pier. Unfortunately it was a rather foggy day.
( Photo by G. Mueller-Debus )
 
"Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel", on the River Weser; leaving Bremen (Germany), April 1968.
( Photo by G. Mueller-Debus )
 
"Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel"
( Photo Collection Bobs)
 "Jacksonville", ex. "Mission Solana" in front and "Houston", ex. "Mission Carmel" in tandem tow after tug "Hanseat", to the
breakers in Kaohsiung. February 23rd, 1984.
( Photo Copyright Mac Mackay )

MISSION CARMEL, T2-SE-A2
History :
Built by Marinship Co., Sausalito, California.
Yardnumber 39. UMSC No. 1815. Off. nr. 245542.
Keel laid 01-01-1944. Launched 28-03-1944. Completed 17-05-1944. Gr. 10448 t., Net. 6423 t., Dw. 16613 t. L.o.a. 159,57 m., Br. 20,78 m., Dr. 8,99 m. Engine: 2 steam turbines, manufactured by General Electric Company, Cleveland, Ohio. 10000 B.h.p., 7356 kW. Speed 16 knots. 26 Tanks.
History:
MISSION CARMEL-1944 Delivered to Pacific Tankers, Inc., 17 May, for operation under a General Agency Agreement for the War Shipping Administration.
MISSION CARMEL-1946 Returned to the Maritime Commission, 11 April, at Portland, OR., for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Astoria, OR.
AO-113 MISSION CARMEL-1947 Acquired by the Navy, 21 October, designated Mission Carmel (AO-113 and assigned to the Naval Transportation Service (NTS).
T-AO-113 MISSION CARMEL-1949 Absorbed into the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 1 October 1949 and Redesignated USNS Mission Carmel (T-AO-113).
T-AO-113 MISSION CARMEL-1957 Placed out of service, struck from the Naval Register, and returned to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Olympia, WA., 25 October.
HOUSTON-1967 sold to Litton Industries Leasing Corp., Wilmington, Del., USA.
HOUSTON-1975 for Reynolds Leasing Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware, USA.
Additional Reports :
Reported Houston converted and deepened into container ship in 1967 by Todd Shipyard Corp., Galveston.
New dimension 11601 grt / 13596 dwt, 4 Holds. 16 hatches. Container capacity 332/35”. C/Hold: 226/35’, C/Deck 106/35’.
Reported Houston sold to shipbreakers in Spain to be broken up. Arrived Sevilla 17 Mar. 1984 in tow, work began 20 Mar. 1984. [ By Desguaces del Guadalquivir ]

SS Mission Carmel, T-2 Tanker, hull # 39, keel laid 1/1/44, launched Mar. 28, 1944 Sponsor: Mrs. W. B. Lardner, wife of Engineering Dept. employee; Matron of Honor: Anita Rhodes. In USMC Reserve Fleet in October, 1960. Container Ship "Houston" 1967.